The present study expanded our current understanding of leadership among academically gifted seventh-grade students by examining peer-identified leaders of naturally occurring social groups in a mixed ability setting. Three consecutive cohorts of seventh-grade students (N = 474; 57% female; 43% European American) attending a public magnet secondary school participated. Results indicated that gifted students were more apt to be identified as leaders than nongifted youth and both conventional and unconventional styles of leadership related similarly to higher social standing and influence in the peer network. Nongifted leaders displayed a mixed profile of prosocial and more risky deviant behavior, whereas gifted leaders displayed a primarily prosocial leadership style. However, gifted leaders perceived themselves to be more influential and intimidating than other students and also endorsed sensation seeking tendencies more than other students. Findings underscore the heterogeneity of leadership during young adolescence and the distinct profile of gifted leaders compared with other leaders and gifted peers.

中文翻译：

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领袖人物：青春期早期的学术天赋和领导力

本研究通过检查在混合能力环境中自然发生的社会群体的同龄人确定的领导者，扩展了我们目前对具有学术天赋的七年级学生领导力的理解。连续三组七年级学生（N = 474；57% 女性；43% 欧洲裔美国人）参加了公立磁铁中学。结果表明，有天赋的学生比无天赋的青年更容易被认为是领导者，传统和非常规的领导风格都与较高的社会地位和同伴网络中的影响力相关。无天赋的领导者表现出亲社会和更具风险的越轨行为的混合特征，而有天赋的领导者则主要表现出亲社会的领导风格。然而，有天赋的领导者认为自己比其他学生更有影响力和威慑力，并且比其他学生更认可追求轰动的倾向。调查结果强调了青年时期领导力的异质性，以及与其他领导者和天才同龄人相比，天才领导者的独特特征。